its inconsistency with reason and good sense, as well as with the Gospel. I am the more disposed to press the subject on your attention, because, if there be any justice in the remarks, with which I introduced it, we may appear not enough on our guard against so odious and so mischievous a quality. Too much upon our guard against it we cannot be. Like other passions, which are "not of the Father, but are of the world," the seeds of it are naturally planted in our hearts; and very little encouragement is wanted, to make them

"Grow with our growth, and strengthen with our strength,"

with a rapidity, proportionate to the malignity of the plant, that springs from them. To correct so dangerous a principle within us, we have need of all the assistance we can procure from the divine grace: nor shall we be careless about procuring and exerting it, if we have a due sense of the evil that besets us; if we have regard for our characters, as reasonable beings and as Christians; if we would cherish "brotherly love" towards our neighbour; if we

would follow the example, and keep the commandments, of our Saviour; if we would enjoy the fellowship of his Holy Spirit; and finally be admitted into the pre,

sence of our Father, which is in heaven.

SERMON XIX.

UNCLEANNESS INCONSISTENT WITH A PROFESSION OF THE GOSPEL.

1 THESS. iv. 3.

-This is the will of God, even your sanctifica

tion

THERE is no subject, upon which the holy scriptures give us more satisfactory information, or information, the glory of which is more peculiarly their own, than on the nature and attributes of the divine Being, the Creator and Governor of the Universe," the Author and Giver of all good things." It is their great distinction, not only that they direct our attention to the one true God, as the only proper ob

ject of religious worship; but that they also represent him, as possessed of every possible perfection, and infinite in all his glorious attributes. In this respect the efforts of reason have fallen vastly below the discoveries of revelation. The Heathens, as the Apostle tells us in a passage connected with my text, "knew not God:" they knew him not, as that infinitely perfect Being, as that one "Lord God Almighty, that is, and that was, and that is to come a as that "High and Lofty One, which inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy b;" whom the sacred scriptures reveal to those, who are enlightened by "the day-spring from on high."

But the scriptures are given us, not for our information only, but for our improvement; they are" profitable" not only "for doctrine," but "for our instruction in righteousness," in personal, practical righteousness. Whilst therefore they give us improved notions of the great and good God, it is for the purpose of leading us to imi

Rev. iv. 8.

Isaiah lvii. 15.

2 Tim. iii. 16.